Showing posts with label hot water heater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hot water heater. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Preparing Plumbing and Pipes for Winter
Before the Mercury Plummets, Take Some Preventive Plumbing Action!Winter time can wreak havoc on your home's pipes and plumbing system, especially in Horizon Services' service area of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland where temperatures can yo-yo between moderate to sub-zero and back all within a week...and often do. Freezing and fluctuating temperatures can cause pipes to crack. Melting snow and ice can lead to leaks, flooding and structural damage all over your house.
Fortunately, there are many things that homeowners can do themselves to prevent damage and ensure that their home plumbing systems continue to work as efficiently as possible. A regular round of checks that can be easily carried out will help maintain the long-term optimal working of the plumbing system and save on costly plumbing repair bills.
Especially as winter approaches, make sure that any outside hose pipes are disconnected from faucets and that the water leading out to these faucets is turned off. If water in the pipes or hoses freezes, it will expand, causing hoses and pipes to crack or even burst. This can lead to very serious leaks and flooding. This can happen to plastic pipes as well as metal.
The shut-down of external pipes can be made easier if your home has shut-off valves installed, which will close them down and drain the water off. Once effectively disconnects, the exterior faucets can then be protected from the cold weather with lagging.
If you have pipes situated in areas of the home that are not heated, such as basements, attics or garages, these can be insulated from temperature extremes using heat tape or foam insulated sleeves. These materials are available at most hardware stores.
It's also important to keep as much heat inside your home to prevent pipes from freezing, especially in those cold rooms. To increase energy efficiency, seal doors and windows from drafts using materials you can buy in any home centers.
Water heaters work extra hard during the winter, so check yours to make sure that it is performing up to speed. Flushing it out periodically to get rid of any build-up of sediments, as these cause corrosion and greatly effect efficiency and longevity of the unit. Drain off a few gallons using the faucet situated near the base of the unit. Also check the pressure release valve, which should snap smartly back into place when lifted after allowing a spurt of water to the drain. If it is slack, get somebody in to replace it.
The water heater’s thermostatic control should be set according to the season. In winter you’ll want optimum performance, of course, at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Going away for a couple days over the winter? If you're not regularly running water, it can collect in pipes and freeze, especially if you lose power or the temperature takes a nosedive. It's a good idea to leave some warm water running at a slow drip...just so it keeps moving through your pipes. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to turn on periodically while you are away to make sure that no room gets too cold.
In addition, you may also have to clean debris such as dead leaves from gutters and around the downspouts to allow for better drainage after the coming thaw. Clear ice and snow away from outside walls to prevent snow melt from getting inside your home. Make sure snow doesn't accumulate near vents. And if you can, try clearing ice and snow from roofs before it accumulaes too heavily. Many hardware stores carry telescoping rakes that can reach rooftops without having to use a ladder. You can also toss a few thermal cakes up onto your roof to chemically stimulate snow and ice melt.
To winterize your plumbing, you need only a very basic set of tools to maintain your home plumbing system, available from any home center. A pipe wrench is probably the most important, enabling you to get a good grip on pipes and fittings. A pair of pliers will help you to adjust nuts and bolts, but these can damage fittings if you slip up, so get some smooth sleeves to fit. These tools are fine for the small maintenance jobs you’re likely to be carrying out, but for bigger home plumbing jobs it’s best to get the professionals in, otherwise things could take a turn for the worse.
Related Plumbing Information from Horizon Services...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Assessing Your Hot Water Heater Needs
All Hot Water Heaters are Not Alike!If you’re like most Americans, you probably take your hot water for granted. It’s there when you need it, and the only time you notice it is when it’s gone. The following is an overview of hot water heaters with some simple tips to help you figure out your home’s hot water needs to ensure you’re never left standing in the cold (water).
Hot Water Heater Sizes
Residential hot water heaters come in three basic sizes: 30-, 40-, or 50-gallon capacity. If you look at the nameplate on your water heater, it will tell you how large the unit is. Should you need to replace your heater, it’s best to choose a new one with the same capacity as the old one unless you’ve just added a dishwasher, washing machine, or bathroom, or plan to make these changes soon.
A good rule of thumb for calculating your home’s hot water needs is to count the number of bathrooms in the house. For single bathroom homes, a 30- or 40-gallon unit is sufficient; for homes with 1 ½ baths, a 40-gallon tank is the minimum; for homes with two or more bathrooms, you’ll need at least a 50-gallon capacity.
Gas vs. Electric Hot Water Heaters
The type of fuel used to power a hot water heater can have a significant impact on the device’s capacity. A water heater’s capacity depends on two factors: its total storage and its recover time, or how quickly it can warm a full tank of water. Both gas and electric water heaters are rated based on how many gallons they can heat to 90 degrees F in an hour.
For example, a 40-gallon gas water heater with 40,000 BTU can heat its entire capacity in an hour. A 40-gallon electric heater using 240 volts is only able to heat half its capacity in that time.
Electric water heaters take longer to warm up than most gas-powered models, so if you’re planning to buy an electric system it should be larger than its gas counterpart. This is especially true if you have a large family or use more hot water than the average household. Residential electric hot water heaters can be purchased with capacities as large as 100 gallons or more.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
An emerging trend in hot water heaters is the tankless unit. Tankless heaters heat only the water that is needed in the moment; they don’t store heated water for future use. These devices are more energy efficient because they require less power than conventional water heaters that must constantly heat and reheat water stored in the tank to keep it ready for use. Though a tankless water heater will likely cost significantly more to purchase than a traditional hot water heater, it will more than pay for itself in monthly energy savings, and you’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water. There are electric tankless models, but gas-powered units are generally more effective.
Need Help With Your Hot Water Heater?
Horizon Services is always available fix or help you maintain your hot water heater. We also sell and install hot water heaters from leading brands such as Rheem, Bradford White, A.O. Smith and others.
Related Hot Water Heater Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, April 12, 2010
Vanishing Hot Water; Shivering Showers!
When It's Hot, It's Hot. And When It's Not, It's Really Not!Has this ever happened to you? You step into the tub or stall for your morning shower. The water comes out nice and hot and steamy. You lather up, luxuriating in the soothing warmth. And then it happens. The water suddenly turns ice cold. And you almost break your neck as you hit the ceiling from the sheer shock of being sprayed with water that feels like it was piped in from Alaskan tundra!
This arctic shower blast takes place in thousands of bathrooms every day. And while it's a great way to wake yourself up, it's not something you really want to subject your nervous system to everyday. Here are some of the many things that can cause your shower's hot water to do a sudden U-turn and turn into a river of shivers!
Water Heater Trouble:
Check all the sinks and plumbing fixtures in the house to make determine if your cold shower is a singular problem or an indication that something more serious is going on. If you don’t get hot water anywhere, the problem is likely with your hot water heater. Check the unit’s temperature settings and fuses. If your water heater runs on gas, the pilot light may have gone out.
Another possibility is that your water heater's dip tube has broken off. This is a tube that forces incoming water to the bottom of the water tank so that hot water will be drawn off of the top. When the dip tube breaks, cold water enters the tank, mixes with the hot water and cools it down. This can occur in both gas and electric models.
If you have an electric water heater, the problem could be due to a bad heating element or a thermostat malfunction. If so, the problem should be evaluated by a plumbing technician.
Other possible water heater problems/issues include a blockage in the flue, a broken part, leaks or sediment accumulation in the water tank. You should always contact an experienced plumbing professional if you suspect one of these more complex problems.
Isolated Incidents
If the other fixtures in your house seem to be working fine, your cold shower is likely an isolated problem. In newer homes, there’s usually no need to replace the pipes; copper pipes don’t corrode and rarely back up, so it is not generally an issue with the pipes that’s preventing hot water from coming through. Find the hot water shut off valve and check to see if it’s closed. If so, opening the valve will usually fix the problem. If your home is older and has steel pipes or if adjusting the shut off valve doesn’t help, you may need to consult a professional about a possible broken shower valve.
Remove, Rinse, Replace
Over time the rubber parts in most shower valves can wear down and become distorted. This can cause improper sealing or swelling that can block the flow of water. The distortion gets worse as hot water travels through the valves, and sometimes the rubber parts can break off inside the valves and pipes. This debris often travels through pipes and valves, causing obstructions. In order to fix the problem, you’ll have to remove the damaged part and flush out the valve to remove any broken pieces. If you have some experience with bathroom plumbing, it’s not that difficult to take apart the fixture and rinse out the hot water screen. Just be sure to lay a cloth over the drain to catch any small parts that may come out when the valve is flushed.
Faucet Guards
Your shower or tub may have scaled faucet guards installed as a regulator to prevent water from reaching scalding levels. These guards can be adjusted to the temperature you desire by removing the faucet handle and turning the adjusting ring to the hotter or colder setting. This can be a complex repair job and is best left in the hands of an experienced plumbing technician.
Risk vs. Reward
Bathroom plumbing is a highly specialized trade and even simple do-it-yourself projects can get complicated quickly. Though diagnosing hot water problems is generally easy, actually fixing those problems is not always so simple. Most shower valve parts are behind walls, making them inaccessible to those without the right tools or experience. These are also sophisticated systems that may require special skills to work with—the last thing you want to do is go through the hassle and expense of opening up a wall, only to find that you have no idea what you’re looking at. If you aren’t confident that you can fix the problem on your own, trust your instincts. The risk of doing more damage usually far outweighs the cost of hiring a professional. However, doing some of the diagnostic legwork on your own first will make it easier and more efficient to work with a professional plumber to repair the problem.
Related Information...
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Is It Time for a New Water Heater?
A quality water heater can last ten to fifteen years if it’s properly maintained. There does come a time, though, when you may need to repair or replace your system. Before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a new water heater, determine if your unit’s problems could be solved with a tune-up.If your water is not hot enough make sure the power is connected (if your heater is electric) or that the pilot is lit (if you have a gas system). Try resetting the thermostat and flush the heater to get rid of any sediment that’s built up in the tank. Add extra insulation around exposed hot water pipes and raise the temperature on the thermostat a few degrees. If your water heater runs on gas, clean the gas burner and replace the thermo coupler, a safety device that shuts the gas off if the pilot light goes out.
If your heater is making hissing or popping noises, drain the tank until the water runs clear to remove accumulated sediment and debris. Soak the elements in white vinegar and scrub them to remove lime scale and buildup.
If your water pipes are leaking try tightening the fittings. If that doesn’t work, shut off the water and replace them. Leaky valves should always be replaced.
A brand new water heater can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000 or more; buying a new system should be your last resort. Many common problems can be resolved by a few minor repairs.
Most water heater parts are designed to be replaceable. This includes heating elements, thermostats, anode rods and valves. If your heater is less than 13 years old and has been working just fine until a specific time that you can pinpoint, you will probably need a simple repair. A professional will be able to tell you what’s not working and can install replacement parts to fix the problem.
Consider factors like local weather, design of your equipment, quality of installation, level of regular maintenance the unit receives, volume of daily use, and your water quality. All of these things can shorten the lifespan of your water heater. If your system undergoes a lot of wear and tear, replacement might be more cost effective than trying to fix a struggling unit.
If your heater is more than 13 years old and has started to malfunction it’s probably cheaper in the long run to buy a new system. If you notice leaks in the body of the heater tank itself or around plumbing fixtures, you should replace the unit immediately. Excessive corrosion on the tank or around pipe connections usually indicates a major problem, too. If you can only get cold water from the hot water tap, if your heater isn’t able to consistently produce enough hot water, or if you hear clanking, popping or sizzling noises that persist after parts have been replaced, it’s probably time to shop for a new water heater.
For More Information on Hot Water Heaters, check out this article from Horizon Services:
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Video: What You Need to Know About Boilers!
Thinking about installing a boiler for home heating and hot water? In this video, John Costa, Training Manager at Horizon Services, Inc. explains what you should be looking for in a boiler and what makes OUR boilers different from others on the market. John covers a variety of boiler topics and components including: boiler efficiency, firing rate, outdoor temperature sensors, variable speed blowers, domestic hot water, expansion tanks, pumps vs. zone valves, air elimination, flow check valves, purge valves, safety devices, set up and installation procedures.
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